by Jennifer McShane
15th Dec 2018
15th Dec 2018
While storm Deirdre means going out this weekend likely isn’t the favoured option for many, you can enjoy the feeling of cosiness all the more by curling up with these festive picks, currently on Netflix.
A very Murray Christmas
I’ll never understand why this one doesn’t get more appreciation – it’s Bill Murray people. Directed by Sofia Coppola, the great Bill Murray fronts a Christmas variety show inspired by old-school American holiday specials. The film focuses on Murray and his Christmas cabaret, but as luck would have it, weather prevents guests from attending. The celebrity cameos are brilliant, from Miley Cyrus and George Clooney, plus, of course, a whole lot of singing and dancing. It’s quirky, fun and well worth a watch.
The Man Who Invented Christmas
The Man Who Invented Christmas sees Dan Stevens as a young Charles Dickens and, somewhat fancifully, tells the story of how A Christmas Carol came to be, with details of the real-life characters who inspired Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Marley brothers. It’s no Muppet’s Christmas Carol but lighthearted enough that you and the kids will enjoy it.
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding
This Netflix original is a pure cheese-fest, but if now isn’t the time of year for some light-hearted romance, when is? The movie follows a young journalist who attempts to get the scoop on a handsome prince by going undercover at his palace, but ends up falling in love in the process. Perfect for those that are partial to anything royal-related.
Christmas Chronicles
Netflix has debuted its first festive originals this year, one of which is Christmas Chronicles. And Kurt Russell as a rather hot Father Christmas, is unashamedly what makes this one work. Set in Chicago, Santa gets stuck and must find and retrieve all his magical items or the children will go without presents. It’s charmingly random, often bizarre and did I mention it was worth it for Kurt Russell?
Love Actually
Yes, there will always be elements of this film that remain problematic and creepy, Emma Thompson, a solid soundtrack and some genuinely tender moments means Love Actually makes the Christmas watch lists every year.
The Holiday
Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz trade places in this hugely popular, festive heartwarmer. Frequently cited a ‘chick-flick’ like it’s a bad thing – films created for women by a woman is never a bad thing IMO – and writer/director Nancy Meyers’ script is on sparkling form.
Bridget Jones’ Baby
This is emphatically not a Christmas film, but I’m cheating and including it because the Bridget Jones films never fail to get me feeling festive. In this underrated third outing, after breaking up with Mark Darcy (a dashing Colin Firth) leaves Bridget Jones over 40 and single once more. Feeling that she has everything under control, Jones decides to focus on her career but when she meets a handsome American named Jack (an equally dashing Patrick Dempsey), Bridget suddenly discovers that she is pregnant and must figure out who the father is. It’s comedic gold.
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